Gaurav Sharma. Photo: NZ HeraldHamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma, who was removed from Labour's caucus in August for breaching confidentiality and losing his colleagues' trust, says he has resigned and plans to start a new centrist party. Sharma said he has been informed that the Labour Party and the prime minister plan to use the waka-jumping legislation to remove him from Parliament six months before the next election, and decided to resign as an MP to ensure a by-election. In a statement as Labour's leader, Jacinda Ardern said the party's position on Sharma and the waka jumping provisions had not changed. "We have not, and are not, considering invoking the waka jumping provisions, nor do I know the basis of Gaurav Sharma's speculation," she said.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 18, 2022 14:32 UTC